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Cnoc na Sleá is the modern Irish form. Arguably the Classical Irish form Cnoc na Sleighe is more faithful to the pronunciation.
Cnoc na Sleá is the 1443th highest place in Ireland. Cnoc na Sleá is the second most northerly summit in the Donegal NW area. Trackback: http://mountainviews.ie/summit/1047/?PHPSESSID=v50f5vutl36vf9osvtjsgc0fi5

Picture from group : Crocknasleigh (L) in the classic Atlantic Drive photo

Picture: Crocknasleigh (L) in the classic Atlantic Drive photo

short hill with long views

Short Summary created by slemish, 5 Mar 2011

Crocknasleigh's coastal location means it punches well above it's weight in terms of views from its modest 163m summit. Much of the rugged North Donegal coastline is visible from here among an enormous swathe of Atlantic Ocean. The easiest route up is to start in the Youth Hostel car park (126425A) and follow the track up past the hostel itself and then over open moorland to the summit cairn. There is a re-entrant (125m) on the northern side which has an interesting ruined look-out station from WWII. Crocknasleigh is one of the most photographed mountains in Ireland as it is the hill that features in the classic Atlantic Drive view as seen in Ireland tourist brochures the world over. Trackback: http://mountainviews.ie/summit/1047/comment/5806/

Picture from slemish : Looking west from Crocknasleigh towards Horn Head

Picture: Looking west from Crocknasleigh towards Horn Head

slemish on Cnoc na Sleá, 2009

by slemish 30 May 2009

Climbed Crocknasleigh today for the first time in many years - absolutely glorious weather, very warm indeed for May. I parked at the Tra na Rosann youth hostel (126425A) and from there climbed straight up the side of the hill over open sheep-cropped moorland, quite steep in places although nothing particularly strenuous. A small cairn marks the summit at 163m. On a clear day like today, the views are well worth it. Looking north, the vast expanse of Atlantic Ocean that opens ahead of you is breathtaking enough, but to the west the sheer cliffs at Horn Head and the distant Tory island provide a stunning backdrop. To the east, the Fanad peninsula and the Inishowen hills and to the south-east the craggy outline of Loughsalt Mtn. Ganiamore to the south-west with the unmistakeable outline of Muckish peeping over it. Make sure to take in the northern second summit (125m) with its WWII lookout-station. From here the hill drops steeply to the north, allowing fine views over Melmore Lough and the fabulously-named Murderhole beach. Total trip - about 1 hr. Trackback: http://mountainviews.ie/summit/1047/comment/3681/

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Picture from Aidy : View from the northern side, down on Boyeeghter Bay.

Picture: View from the northern side, down on Boyeeghter Bay.

Not To Be Judged On Size

by Aidy 19 Apr 2017

A small hill, but as it can form part of an extended walk, has some very steep sides, and has some of the best views in the country, it cannot be judged by size alone. I started at the car park at the southern end of Tra na Rossan strand which I then walked along to reach the southern slopes of the hill. Its a short but steep ascent from the beach, and I was well rewarded with amazing views in every direction. I continued over the hill but had to retreat and probe for a way down as the northern side is extremely steep in places. There were great views down over Boyeeghter Bay and the "Murder Hole" beach, and it was this that tempted me on. I found a route down to the gap between Crocnasleigh and Gortnalughuge Hill and I ascended this second hill to the old coastguard lookout post. There was another extremely steep drop from there to the western end of Melmore Lough - I would hesitate to recommend this route to anybody unless they were extremely confident. It was worth it for me as I lingered at the Murder Hole for a great sunset. Luckily, I met another photographer there too who gave me lift back to the car park afterwards, avoiding a road walk back in the dark. A brilliant hill, and even better if done as part of an exploration of the area. Trackback: http://mountainviews.ie/summit/1047/comment/18892/

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Picture from Aidy : You can see the steep northern slopes of both hills here.

Picture: You can see the steep northern slopes of both hills here.

Sunset At The Murder Hole

by Aidy 19 Apr 2017

In my main summit comment I mentioned the steep northern sides of both Crocknasleigh and Gortnalughuge that I had descended to get to the Murder Hole at Boyeeghter Bay for sunset. This photo shows those steep sides, bathed in the light from the sunset. Its a beautiful spot and worth adding to the route if visiting Crocknasleigh, although some might prefer another route to the Murder Hole rather than coming down those steep slopes. It can be accessed from the road on the east side of the peninsula too. Trackback: http://mountainviews.ie/summit/1047/comment/18893/

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Picture from gerrym : Cnoc na Slea from Rosses Strand

Picture: Cnoc na Slea from Rosses Strand

Golden Glaze

by gerrym 26 Jul 2010

Late evening start with this one with the intention of camping overnight. Used the excellent carpark at Rosses Strand - there are No Camping signs here but i was heading well off from beach.

The beach still contained some hardy souls, with the pounding waves satisfying those in thier wetsuits. Walk the length of this beautiful beach and take a green track heading out along the Bay. Easy walking on sheep mown grass brought Rosses Point (114434B) where i set up camp for the night. A late dinner with views to a strikingly dark Horn Head, the sweeping glare of the lighthouse on Tory and the redness of the midnight sun far to the N, complimented by the sound of the Atlantic relentlessly striking home some 100ft below.

The night brought strong winds which tested the tent and my ability to get a decent sleep. An early start brought easy walking towards the summit. The golden sands of Rosses Strand were completey deserted and other golden stretches popped in and out of view as i climbed. A fence is followed to the summit and the small cairn. Views are impressive along the Atlantic coast in every direction - a lonely sailboat giving perspective to the vast area of water before me.

Return followed the fence down and then a direct descent to the beach, with another chance to savour the sand and surf before the carpark. A brilliant hill - taking little effort to summit but lots of effort to process the expansive views over a stunning coastline! Trackback: http://mountainviews.ie/summit/1047/comment/5972/

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Picture from Peter Walker : Ashley Cole takes up hillwalking...

Picture: Ashley Cole takes up hillwalking...

'...and I don't have a gun...'

by Peter Walker 13 Mar 2011

I took the convoluted (but gorgeous) drive up Rosguill before parking at Rosses Strand (also ravishing...let's overlook all those derelict mobile homes by the side of the access road...you guys really do tend to take fly tipping to another level, don't you?). Along the beach and up the re-entrant (improving path the higher you get, a bit brambly at the bottom), turn right at the col and alongside the fence to the summit...a viewpoint entirely out of proportion with its height and required effort.

But the biting wind, the vicious little hailstorm and the glorious panorama aren't what will render Crocknasleigh unique in my memory...because it's the only hill where I've ever found a gun target. About three quarters of the way up the re-entrant, lopsided and flapping in the breeze. It was obviously used (and recently...I can't imagine the elements would leave something so flimsy in place for the long term...at least it didn't look like live ammo had been involved); can anyone shed any light on why it was there? Is humble Crocknasleigh actually the secret Irish training complex for Chelsea FC? Or am I deeply English (and therefore naive)? Trackback: http://mountainviews.ie/summit/1047/comment/6271/